Preparation of monolithic aluminium titanate with well-defined macropores via a sol–gel process accompanied by phase separation

• Aluminium titanate monolith with well-defined macropores is successfully prepared by sol–gel process.
• The use of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and formamide controls the morphology of macropores.
• PEO-induced phase separation of Al2O3–TiO2 system relies on the interaction between TiO2 oligomers and PEO.
• The macroporous structure is well preserved after heat-treatment.

Monolithic aluminium titanate with well-defined macropores has been prepared through a sol–gel process accompanied by phase separation, using poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) to induce the phase separation and formamide (FA) to control the gelation of Al2O3–TiO2 system. Appropriate amounts of PEO and formamide allow the formation of aluminium titanate xerogel with cocontinuous macroporous structure and a monolithic shape. The pore size of the resultant dried gels is in the range of 2–3 μm and the porosity is above 60%. The as-dried gel is amorphous and completely transforms into a single phase Al2TiO5 after heat-treated at 1300 °C. The macroporous structure is well maintained while the skeleton becomes smooth after heat-treatment.

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